College notebook: Drake grad Lawson returns to Bay Area to run for Cal after starting at UCLA

Even in compiling an unforgettable prep career in long distance running, Drake High grad John Lawson was never known for his fast starts.

Seems the same can be said about his college running career.

Lawson, the 2011 Division III state cross country champ and 2012 state track and field runner-up in the 3,200 meters, was all set to attend UCLA late in the summer.

At the 11th hour and upon closer evaluation, however, Lawson decided Southern California was not the place for him.

His roots, and especially his roots in running, were firmly planted in Northern California spawning his decision to enroll at Cal, instead.

"I decided UCLA wasn't the optimal place for me to spend the next four or five years," Lawson said. "It was a very late decision, but ultimately I have no regrets about it."

Lawson's late registration at Cal forced him to miss the 2013 collegiate cross country season.

"I still have four years of eligibility in cross country," he said. "I think the late registration will ultimately be a blessing in disguise by preparing me for peaking in my NCAA career when I'm 22 instead of 18."

In the meantime, Lawson has kept himself busy running here and there. He ran one college race — the 8k Sacramento Interregional Jamboree — unattached earlier in the season alongside his future Cal teammates.

Lawson finished third among Cal runners and 22nd overall, despite very little formal training over the last several months.

"I wanted to experiment with the distance," he said. "I loved it, absolutely loved it. Right now I'm on a little bit of a forced break from the competition. Even though it's not a position I expected myself to be in, I have faith this will be much better for me in the long run. I can't wait to compete real soon in a Cal jersey."

That could happen as early as January if Lawson is picked to compete for Cal's track and field indoor season team.

If not, Lawson is already enthusiastic about the outdoor track and field season.

"I plan on being in the best shape of my life come outdoor season next year," he said. "I'm keeping my mileage at a high level and doing all the things appropriate to maintain my running fitness."

Lawson, never one to shy away from a challenge, competed at the junior World Mountain running team in Poland recently. He was shocked at how difficult the 9k course traversing up ski resort slopes actually turned out to be.

"It was one of the toughest races of my life — I completely overestimated myself," he said. "It was so humbling."

And, in classic Lawson competitive mode, he added, "It makes me want to come back and do it again some time."

Lawson stressed his decision not to go to UCLA had nothing to do with the school, which he highly admires.

"I have a lot of respect for the UCLA coach and the team. Nothing about the school played into my decision-making at all," he said. "It was all a personal choice that came down to many factors."

Bill Taylor, Lawson's coach at Drake for four years, said he talked to his former star runner and let him know he was behind whatever decision he made.

"I let him know that my opinion was that it was his right to choose whichever college he wanted," Taylor said. "I think (going to Cal) feels right for John. I am happy for him and his family. He's part of the Bay Area again and I think that thank goodness he acted on his impulses."

Lawson said now that he's accepted the impact his decision about his college choice has made on his life, he's only looking forward.

"My whole life is planning for the trajectory of running at high level for the next four or five years," he said "Just because I'm not running in a Cal jersey right now does not mean it's not an important part of the master plan. Every bump in the road has turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise for me. I believe things happen for a reason and believe it's going to turn out real well for me."

Around campus

 Stanford senior Erik Olson, another one of the premiere distance runners in Marin prep history and a 2010 graduate of Novato, finished 13th at last weekend's Pre-National Invitational in Indiana. Olson, the 2009 Division II state champion in cross country, covered the 8K course in 23:44.8.

 UC Davis defensive end Nick King, a senior and a 2009 Redwood grad, leads the Aggies — 3-1 in Big Sky Conference play — in sacks with five and is third on the team in tackles with 45.

 Marin Catholic 2011 grad Ryan Farney, a sophomore wide receiver at Division III Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College in Southern California, caught nine passes for 110 yards and one touchdown recently in the Stags' 38-30 loss to Occidental. Farney is second on the team in receptions with 25 for 263 yards.

 The Dominican University women's volleyball team, which has won five consecutive matches, hosts Holy Names of Oakland in a Pac West Conference match this Friday at 6 p.m. The match has added significance because it's "Think Pink Night" at the San Rafael campus gym. The special night is not only a fundraiser for breast cancer research, but also serves to support Alisha Booye, who played for Dominican women's volleyball coach Gayle Stammer when she coached at City Beach Volleyball Club. Booye was diagnosed with breast cancer in July.